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SHENANDOAH 



fi. jVliLiTARY Drama in 6 Acts, 



G-EO. W. HEATH. 



DOVER, N. H. 
H. H. GOODWIN, JOB PRINTER. 

1871. 



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SHENANDOAH 



^ Military Drama in 6 ^tcTs, 



GEO. W. HEATH. 



^^RV OF COHi^^-^,,^^ 



DOVER, N. H. 

H. H. GOODWIN, JOB PRINTER. 

1871. 



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Entered according to Act of Congress, In the 
year 1S71, by Geo. W. Heath, in the office of 
the Li])rarian of Congress, at Washington. 



THE DRUMMER BOY, 



ACT I. 

Scene I.— Front Street. Senators Toombs, Wigfall 
and Stevens, discovered. 

Toombs. But sir the steps we are taking are fraught 
with danger to the country. Mark my words, a long and 
bloody war may be the consequence. 

Wigfall. There is, gentlemen, no alternative. It is 
the unanimous vote of the convention, and unless we pro- 
ceed accordingly, it will bring a lasting dishonor upon the 
South, and we shall be bullied by those northern menials 
more than ever. 

Toombs. If, through the seceding of the southern 
states, a war is brought on, who, I ask, is to answer for 
the lives that must be sacrificed? I never have believed 
in resorting to such extreme measures for party aggran- 
disement. It is detestable in the sight of Heaven. 

Wigfall. I do not apprehend anything of the kind. 
What can the North do ? they have no munitions of war 
left, their arsenals are all empty, their military power is 
so disabled they cannot fight if they are so disposed. 

Toombs. Believe me, gentlemen, there are men in the 
north who will not submit to the loss of a single state from 
the Union. Mgrk me, my words are prophetic. The pro- 



4 THE DRUMMER BOY 

ceedings of that convention have lit a battle flame that 
will enshroud our land in a terrible war, and Heaven only 
knows where it may end. 

Stevens. Then there is only one alternative. To meet 
our foes upon the line drawn by the Charleston Conven- 
tion, and declare our rights by the bayonet. We have 
gone too far to retrace a single step without dishonor. 

Toombs. You are right, sir, it is too late. "We have 
embarked in this scheme and must follow it to the end. 

Wig fall. Beauregard has already received orders to 
have the forts at the entrance of the harbor evacuated, un- 
less the officers and men shall act in behalf of the confed- 
eracy. {Bell strikes 3 outside, L.) But come, it is the 
hour appointed for the meeting of the council at the State 
House. 

{All exit L. 1st E.) 

Scene H. Parlor Bach. Judge, Mrs. Judge, Johnny 

a7id Harry Wallingford, and DeLorm, discovered, 

seated. 

Judge Wallingford. I hope what you say, sir, may 
never come to pass. To bring a war upon our peaceful, 
prosperous land, would be a terrible calamity. I think 
the South are too wise as a people to be led into such an 
error by scheming politicians. 

De Lorm. You are right, sir, it would, as you say, be 
terrible, but at the same time, it looks to me inevitable. 
For the election of Lincoln has so exasperated the whole 
South, that they will not hesitate to do anything that shall 
secure their honor. 

Judge W. Why shouk^ they dislike Mr. Lincoln ? He 
has the reputation of being a good and an honest man. 

DeLorm. That may all be, but never-the-less, his polit- 
cal ideas are in direct antagonism to the institutions of 
the South, and he will meet with none but enemies there. 

Judge W. I have every reason to believe he will govern 



OF THE SHENANDOAH. O 

our country for its welfare, asking the support of all loy- 
al men, and demanding obedience from would-be traitors. 
(Eiiter Vete with paper, IstL. e.) 

Pete. Here is de mail, Massa. 

Judge W. Have my carriage ready at once. 

Fete. Yes, Massa. (Exit 1st L. E. 

Judge W. Let us see what the news is to-day. What's 
this ! The convention held at Charleston on Thursday, 
has declared the Southern -states, or most of them, with- 
drawn from the Union, and established a government of 
their own, choosing for their President, Jefferson Davis, 
of Mississippi. Great excitement in Washington and Bal- 
timore. The city of Charleston full of troops. The 
whole South in arms. Oh ! this is terrible, terrible. 

Harry. There will, if these reports prove true, soon be 
warm work for you gentlemen that wear the uniform. 
Perhaps I can be of some service to my country in her 
struggle for Liberty. Can you give me a chance in your 
regiment? 

DeLorm. When that hour arrives it will find me in the 
Southern army ; should you desire to accompany me 
there, I will do all I can to get you a commission. 

Harry. What ! surely you do not mean to flinch from 
the defense of our country. You would not raise your 
arm, that has ever been found ready for her, against the 
flag you have sworn to protect. 

DeLorm. Sir, the South is my home. I was born there. 
I was reared to love and respect all of her institutions. 
Her principles are mine, and I shall fight for her cause. 

Harry. I am surprised to hear you speak thus. Dur- 
ing these many years of our friendship, I have always, 
till now, found you true and steadfast for the right, and I 
am indeed pained to hear you, while wearing the uniform 
of an American officer, speak treason. 



6 THE DRUMMER BOY 

DeLorm. They are my sentiments, and I shall act by 
them. 

Harry. Then, sir, you are no longer a friend of mine 

Judge W. I pray you, let this subject pass. (31d friends 
should not fall out at parting. 

DeLorm. This, then, is your pretended friendship. 

Harry. James DeLorm, you have been one of my 
dearest friends; you have ever been welcome to this, our 
home, but 'tis over now, for, h^d my own brother done, 
what you have sworn to do, 1 would cast him from my 
love and esteem, though it broke my heart in so doing. 
Henceforth we are strangers, for I will call no one a 
friend,who would basely betray his country and his honor. 

D&Lorm. And this is your northern hospitality. Be- 
cause my sympathies, like yours, cling to my home, you 
denounce me as a traitor to my country. So be it, you 
fight for your flag, and I will for mine, and we shall meet 
again. 

{Enter May Wallingford, 2d R. e.) 

May W. Why, what has happened? What is the 
meaning of this dispute ? 

Harry. It means, my dear wife, that this man, whom 
we have ever regarded as a dear friend, ever welcomed to 
our home, who has shared with us our joys and sorrows, 
is a traitor to his country. And now, wliile a shade of 
war is gathering about us, he declares his intention to 
forsake our glorious flag, and unite with the rebel cause, 
and I have told him that henceforth we are strangers. 

May W. Harry, you have done right, lam proud to 
find that you let not friendship stand between you and 
duty. Mr. DeLorm, painful as it is to break the friend- 
ship that has so long existed between us, I must join with 
my husband in denouncing your course, for we love our 
country too well to have any association with traitors. 

DeLorm. Mr. Wallingford, you have basely insulted 



OF THE SHENANDOAH. 7 

me, but my time will yet come. I will be revenged. 
Good day, my friends. {Exit 2d L. E.) 

May W. Harry, I need not ask you what you propose 
to do in this, our country's trial. I know you will go 
forth in her defence, but I fear that man, should you ever 
meet. You know his threat and he will do his utmost to 
fulfill it. 

Harry. Yes, darling, my country needs me, and I shall 
go ! but fear not, this ona man's threat vanishes, when 
we think of the one made by the entire South against our 
national honor. We will think of him as he deserves, 
and place our trust there. 

Scene III. Street Front. Enter Teddy, r. 1st e., 
Singing. 

Teddy. Well here I am looking for a situation. I 
heard there was a row kicking up here, so I come over to 
get my beautiful shelaly into it. What better employ- 
ment could a respectable Irishman get into than twirling 
his stick against the heads of them that deserve ? Be 
gorra, I'm not the one to hold back when I'm wanted for 
a bit of a scrimmage. Now then, where will I find the 
boss, I don't know ? to set me at it. I'll go down this 
way and see if I can't find a recruiting office. Sure they 
must want lots of just such as me, and they'll find 'em to. 
{Exit L. 1st e., Singing.) 

Scene IV. Plain Chamber in 3, Beauregard and De- 
LoRM discovered. 

Beauregard. Do you think Anderson can hold out 
much longer ? there was some sharp firing against the 
walls of Sumpter to-day. 

DeLorm. Sir, I saw from the heights overlooking the 
fort, that some of their guns have been dismounted, be- 
sides a large portion of the wall fronting the city has 



8 THE DRUMMER BOY 

given way. They must soon surrender, or the fort will be 
a total ruin and its inmates all slain. 

Beauregard. You go immediately with a flag of truce, 
and demand the surrender of the fort. But, if he sees 
proper to fight it out, bring the heaviest guns to bear up- 
on the weakest portion of the walls. I think that will 
bring him to terms. On your return, report to me. 

DeLorm. I will do so, sir. 
{Exit Beauregard 2d l. e. DeLorm 2d r. e.) 

Scene V. Fort Sumpter in 5. Major Anderson ^i5- 

covered. 

Anderson. I pray Heaven that ere daylight I may 
have assistance. The government must know by this 
time the position I am in. I can hold out but a few hours 
longer. My guns are nearly all dismounted, and the 
walls themselves are in ruins. Oh ! what can I do if 
they do not send me aid. {Enter Serg't. Hastings r. 

U. E.) 

Sergt. Bastings. Major, there is a boat approaching 
the shore with a flag of truce. 

Anderson. Let them land and conduct the officer in 
command to me. {Exit Sergt. R. u. E.) Perhaps they 
regret the rash step they have taken, or, it may be, they 
come to demand of me the surrender of the fort; but not 
while there is life enough in me to deny their right to de- 
mand it, shall that flag be lowered from its proud position. 
{Enter Sergt. Hastings and DeLorm, r. u. e. Exit 
Sergt. r. u. e. 

DeLorm. Are you, sir, the commander of this fort ? 

Anderson. 1 have that honor, sir. 

DeLorm. I am ordered by Gen. Beauregard to off'er 
you terms of surrender in the name of the Confederate 
Government. 

Anderson. Tell your commander that I was placed here 



OF THE SHENANDOAH. 9 

by the United States Government, to command this fort, 
and that is the only authority I shall recognize, while I 
hold any position under it. I shall defend this place so 
long as there is left one stone upon another. 

DeLorm. But, sir, 'tis useless; you struggle in vain. 
At daylight, we shall bring our heaviest guns to bear up- 
on the fort, and ere the sun shall mark the hour of noon, 
naught will remain but a pile of blackened ruins. You 
have no right, sir, to sacrifice brave men in so helpless a 
position. 

Anderson. You are right, sir, I have no right to sacri- 
fice them, but my orders are to hold the fort. I never 
yet have disobeyed an order, but for humanity's sake, I 
may have to surrender. This much, I will do, I 'will 
consult my men. I shall be guided by them, and should 
we decide to surrender, I will fire a signal of one gun. 
{Exit DeLorm r. u e.) Oh ! have I lived to see that 
proud emblem lowered in dishonor ? humiliating as it is 
to do so, my duty to my men compels me. This wasting 
of precious lives in this unequal contest, is entirely use- 
less. What! ho! Sergt. ! {Enter Sergt. H. r.'u. e.) 
You will muster the men here immediately. {Exit Sergt. 
H. R. u. E.) This is a terrible ordeal for me, to decide 
between my duty to my country, and humanity for my 
men. May heaven direct me right. {Enter Sergt. H. 
and Men r. u. e.) Soldiers, a flag of truce has just left 
here from the enemy. Beauregard demands our surren- 
der. What shall we do ? lower the old flag, or make 
these blackened vv^alls our funeral pile? 

Sergt. H. We will do as you command us, placing our 
trust in Heaven. 

Anderson.. To defy the enemy is certain death, and I 
do not think our country will require us to waste our lives 
in so useless an effort. Let the signal be given. {Slow 
music.) Let the flag be lowered. {Soldiers march 



10 THE DRUMMER BOY 

around and form in half circle.) And the day shall yet 
come when we will raise it again on these walls without a 
single stain upoi> its folds. {Soldiers kneel.) 

lableau. Death or Liberty. Slow Drop. 



ACT II. 

Scene I. Landscape. Back. Capt. Howard discov- 
ered, writing. Enter Harry, 2d l. e. 

Harry. Ah, good morning, Captain. How is your 
company ? full ? 

Capt. H. Not if you want to go, Harry. 

Harry. Well, I have decided to lend my aid in my 
country's defence, and I will put my name down. 

Capt. H. All right, Harry, you are just the man I 
want. 

Harry. I shall be very happy, Capt., if I can be of any 
service to you. When does your regiment go to the 
front ? 

Capt. H. We are expecting orders every moment ; hold 
yourself in readiness to go at any time. 

Harry I am ready to go at any moment. 
{Enter Johnny, 2d l. e.) 

Johnny. Say, Harry, I want to enlist. 

Harry. You enlist. Why, Johnny, you're too young.^^ 
What could you do ? 

Johnny. Why, can't I drum ? Say, Capt., don't you 
want a drummer ? 

Capt. H. Yes, Johnny, I want a drummer, but I fear 
your mother would hardly part with you. 

Johnny. Well, I must go at any rate. 

Harry. Well, come Johnny, we'll go down and see 
what your mother thinks about it. Capt. I will report 



OF THE SHENANDOAH. 11 

in an hour ready for duty, and should mother consent to 
let Johnny go, I will take him along with me. 

Capt H. All right, Harry. 
(Exit Harry and Johnny, 2d l. e. Enter Teddy, 2d 

R. E. 

Teddy. Is the recruiting officer in, T don't know. 

Capt. H. I am the recruiting officer. What do you 
want ? 

Teddy. Do you want to hire any good steady men for 
the army. 

Capt. H. Our regiment is very near full. Do you 
want to enlist ? 

Teddy. How much do you pay a month, sir ? 

Capt. H. Fourteen dollars. 

Teddy. And the eating and the drinking? 

Capt H. Yes, the men's rations are found. 

Teddy. Found ! Where do they find 'em, sir ? 

Capt. H. They are furnished by the government. 

Teddy. Do you pay every month, sir ? 

Capt. H. It is customary to pay every two months in 
the army. 

Teddy. All right, sir, I'll go. Put my name down. 

Capt. II. What is your name ? 

Teddy. Sure, every one at home knows I'm Teddy 
O'Rourke, of County Clare. I'm a mason's tender by 
education, but I think I'm better qualified for a soldier, 
for you know an Irishman is always ready for a scrim- 
mage. 

Capt. H. Well, go up to the Colonel's tent, and he will 
swear you in. 

Teddy. Swear me I no, sir, he wont. I never swore in 
my life, at all, at all. 

Capt. H. I have reference to your enlisting. The Col- 
onel will take your name at the headquarters of the reg-« 
iment, and assign you to such company as he sees fit. 



12 THE DRUMMER BOY 

Teddy. Well, I'll go and shake the fist of Biddy good 
bye, and leave her my blessing and an order for my pay, 
and then I'm wid ye. {Exit 2d R. E.) 

{Enter Ike Plumly, l. u. e. with awkward squad drill, 
After drill, face to Capt. Howard.) 

Ike Plumly. There, Capt., how do you think they drill? 

Capt. H. They do very well. But you may take them 
to their barracks now, and give them a rest. {Exit Ike 
with squad, L. u. E.) Here, Pete. 

{Enter Pete, 2d e. l.) 

Pete. Yes, Massa. 

Capt. 11. Here Pete, take these documents to the Colo- 
nel, and then see that everything at my quarters is snug- 
ly packed, for we shall have to march soon. {Exit 2d L. 

E. 

Pete. Golly, now dere'U be de debbil to pay, just as 
sure as I'se a nigger. We's going to march down Souf, 
and let dera folks down dere know dat dey can't hab eve- 
rything dere own way any longer. I told 'em long ago 
I'se coming down and pay 'em all I owes 'em, and now de 
time has^ come. Oh ! I feel so good ; just as good as 
white man new. 

{Song and dance introduced, then exit 2d l. e.) 
Scene II. Street, Front. Enter Ike Plumley, 1st r. e. 

Ike. Well, I'm getting along pretty well any-how ; been 
iti the service just two days, and got promoted to a corp- 
oral. That's just because I used to practice soldiering 
when I was small. I had a company when I was at school 
and I was Captain, and perhaps before I come home, I'll 
be Captain again. But I wonder where in the world Pat- 
tie Peaslee is. I must look her up, and tell her I'm go- 
ing, for she don't know it yet. I expect there'll be some 
tall talking when I tell her, for she sets an all-fired sight 
by me, but there, I'll go down and tell her, and have it 



OF THE SHENANDOAH. 13 

over with. She'll like me all the better when I get back 
again, and then we'll get hitched up and settle down to 
taking care of the little Plumleys. {Exit 1st L. E.) 

Scene III. Parlor, Back. Judge W., Mrs. W., May, 
Johnny and Harry discovered. 

May. Oh! Harry, it seems as if we were parting for- 
ever. 

Harry. Nay, darling, look not upon the dark side, but 
upon the bright, and let us place our trust in "Him who 
doeth all things well." There is a dark cloud hanging 
over our country now, but let us hope that it will soon be 
dispelled, and the bright sunshine come again. 

Mrs. Judge W. Harry, into your charge I place our 
darling boy. Watch over him and guard him from dan- 
ger and evil. If harm should come to him it would break 
my heart. 

Harry. Mother, I will guard over him faithfully from 
evil temptations, but where his duty calls him, even 
though it lead him into danger, he must ever be found. 
And now, your blessing. (Harry and Johnny kneel. 
Music, 'i bars.) And now, goodbye. I hope -you will 
come down and see our regiment off. Good bye, mother. 
Good bye. May. (Bus.) 

Johnny. Good bye, father. Good bye, mother, 

May. Oh, Harry, that man's threat haunts me now. I 
fear him, and I pray you may never meet on the field. 

Harry. For your sake, I. hope we may never meet, but 
should chance bring us together, I will try and rid our 
country of one of her basest enemies. But think no more 
of him, darling. Turn your attention to the wants of 
those who are now leaving their homes to defend their 
country's flag. There will be work for you all. The sick 
and wounded must be cared for, and that duty, in a great 
measure, we must leave to the women of our land, know- 



14 THE DRUMMER BOY 

ing it will be faithfully attended to. So cheer up again, 
and remember your duties. (Closed in.) 

Scene IV. Street, Front. ^?z^er Pattie Peaslee, 1st 

R E. 

Pattle. Goodness, gracious ! what on earth is this 
•world coming to ? I never had any faith in that southern 
critter that come up here visiting the Wallingfords. I 
I knew there'd be a rumpus, and now they've had it. I 
hear there is going to be a war between the North and 
the South, and he's going to join the South, and Harry 
and Johnny Wallingford have enlisted on the other side. 
Well, I never see such doings in all my life. And then 
there's that tarnal Ike Plumley, they tell me he's gone off 
and enlisted too. Here he's been promising and promis- 
ing, for the last ten years, to marry me, and now he's 
gone off to get shot. These men aint to be trusted any- 
how. I'll go down to the camp and see if I can't find 
him ; here Pve been knitting his stockings for him and 
mending his clothes ever since he was a boy knee high to 
a toad, and this is the way he shows his gratitude. Pll 
never place my trust in another male critter the longest 
day of my natural existence. {Exit 1st L. E.) 

Scene V. Landscape^ Back. Enter Capt. Howard 
with soldiers, L. u. e., drill, and forin dress parade. 
Enter l. Wallingford Family and Villagers. May 
Wallingford with Hag. 

May. Soldiers, in behalf of the ladies of your town, I 
present you this flag, knowing that you will guard its hon- 
or faithfully, and defend it, if need be, with your lives, 
and when you see it waving above the smoke and din of 
battle, know that you have the prayers of those who pre- 
sent to you this sacred emblem of our country. Hoping 
that you may safely return to the dear ones you part 



OF THE SHENANDOAH. 15 

with to-day, with the bright rainbow of peace shining ov- 
er our land, I now bid you, God speed. 

Capt. H. Ladies, we accept this flag as a sacred me- 
mento from the fair hands that have presented it. We 
pledge you to guard it with our lives, and when we look 
upon its folds waving in the sunlight of heaven, it will 
make strong our hearts for conflict. We pledge you that 
no blot of shame shall tarnish its purity while the stout 
arms of those, to whose keeping you have given it, have 
life to guard it. And, should we survive to bear it back 
to our native hills again, its folds may be tattered and 
torn, like ourselves, but it shall be as pure and unsullied, 
as when you presented it to us. Color bearer, advance. . 
{Color hearer advances, takes colors and returns to place 

Capt. H. marches soldiers off-L. u. e. Villagers closed 

in. 

Scene VI. Wood Front. Enter Teddy, 1st r. e. 

Teddij, What'll I do I don't know ? the regiment has 
gone ofl" and left me behind. That's because Biddy kept 
me billing and cooing so long. Faith that same Biddy 
loves me from the far end of her heart. Be gorra, it 
makes me feel stufl" full right here to go ofl' and leave her, 
but 1 must go and fight for my country and fourteen dol- 
lars a month. Who knows but what I'll be a Major Gen- 
eral before I come back again. Well, I must be off and 
see if I can't catch the boat for City Point, and get down 
to the regiment. Oh, Biddy, sure my heart is sad at 
parting with you. {Exit 1st L. E. singing.) 

Scene VII. Street Front. Enter Col. Ellsworth, 1st 

R. E. Corp. Brownell, 1st l. e. 

Brownell. Colonel, I am ordered by the commander of 
the Post to inform you that there is a rebel flag flying from 
the flag-staff of the Marshall House, and that you are to 
have it immediately taken down. 



16 THE DRUMMER BOY 

Ellsworth. His orders shall be promptly obeyed. Come 
with me. {Both exit 1st l. e.) 

Scene VIII. Plain Chaniber, middle. Ellsworth dis- 
covered taking doivn rebel flag ; puts foot on it. Enter 
Jackson, r. shoots him. Brownell enters R. shoots 
Jackson. After he falls, runs bayonet throvgh him. 
Form picture. {Closed in.) 

Scene IX. Wood Front. Enter Qen. Johnston and 
DeLorm, 1st L. E. 

DeLorm. I have received this information from one of 
my scouts that has been in Washington. He tells me 
that they have but a very small garrison, and the city is 
badly fortified. 

Gen. Johnston. If it were possible to make a flank 
movement to the west as far as Harper's Ferry, then 
through Pennsylvania, and by forced marches fall upon 
Washington before they could get reinforcements, the 
Capitol of the North Avould be ours What think you of 
the plan ? 

DeLorm. I think it a good one, sir. 

Gen. Johnston. Now then, you send a courier with the 
utmost dispatch to Jackson, telling him to meet me to- 
morrow, at noon, at Winchester. In the meantime, I 
will communicate with Lee, who will send me a reinforce- 
ment of infantry, to meet my advance fifteen miles south 
of Martinsburg. See to it that these orders are promptly 
executed. {Exit 1st R. E.) 

DeLorm, I will do so. Thus far we have the best of 
these cursed Yankees. I wonder if Harry Wallingford is 
at the front. I hope so and that we shall meet. I should 
like to get him once in my power, I'd make him pay dear- 
ly for the insult which he gave me before his wife. Hullo, 
who have we here? Pete, as I live. (E'nie?" Pete, 1st 
L. E.) Hullo, Pete, is this you ? 



OF THE SHENANDOAH. 17 

Pete. Yes, Massa DeLorm. Golly, I'se glad to see you. 

DeLorm. What are you doing down here ? 

Pete. You see, Massa, I's got tired of dem Yanks up 
dere, so I'se come down to the Souf again to find ole 
Massa. 

DeLorm. That's right. How are the Wallingfords ? 

Pete. Dey's hearty, Massa. 

DeLorm. Where is Harry ? in the Northern army, I 
suppose. 

Pete. Yes, Massa. He's gone and 'listed. 

DeLorm. What regiment is he in ? 

Pete. Don't know, Massa, but I guess it's the — th. 

DeLorm. Well, Pete, our camp is but a few miles from 
here. Come down some time and see us. {Exit IstR. E.) 

Pete. Yes, ober dis way. Golly, I liked to run into a 
hornet's nest, sure. I guess I must be on de wrong road. 
Don't believe I'll go this way any furder. Didn't I fool 
him dat time. Catch a possum asleep when you get de 
best of ole Pete, sure. I guess I'll get out ob dis. Dere 
may be some one here dat' 11 lay a claim on dis ole con- 
traband. {Exit 1st L. E. 

Scene X. Parlor Back. Ellsworth lying in state. 
Song, " Rest, Spirit, Rest." Near the end of song , 
lableau, "The Immortal Crown." Slow Drop. 



ACT III. 



Scene I. Landscape Back. Union Camp. Capt. 
Howard and soldiers asleep. Harry writing on 
drum. 

Harry. Poor fellows, how sound they sleep after their 
long, weary march. Many of them ere to-morrow, at this 
time, may sleep their last, long sleep. Many a mother 



18 THE DRUMMER BOY 

will listen in vain for the footsteps of her boy. Who can 
tell, which of us now here full of life and hope, will, on 
the morrow, be stricken down by the cruel hand of death. 
But such is war. Poor Johnny too, he was nearly faint 
with hunger and fatigue when we arrived here to-night. 
Poor boy. I have often wished he had staid at home. 
He is too young for this rough life. I hope, for mother's 
sake, he will hold out and live to go home to her. In her 
last letter to me,she says, "Take good care of my baby boy, 
Harry. I expect he misses his mother's care." He does 
indeed mother, miss your care, for who can fill a mother's 
place in her care for her child. I will answer her letter 
now, for who can tell when another opportunity will be 
given me. 

Dear Mother, — It is night here, and my comrades 
are all asleep around me. We had a march of twenty- 
seven miles to-day, and it was a hard task for them. 
Johnny is well and in the best of spirits. • Poor boy, he 
was tired when we got here, but he is sleeping soundly 
now. Mother, I would not cause you any useless trouble 
on our account, but that you may be prepared for any 
thing that may happen to either Johnny or I, I must tell 
you that we shall fight a great battle to-morrow, unless 
Lee retreats. His army now lies in front, and within 
hailing distance of us, but if, after the battle is over, I am 
yet spared to you, I will immediately write you. There, 
I can write no more to-night, for I must sleep what little 
time I hate, so that I may be prepared for the morrow. 
Give our love to Father and May. I will write to her 
soon. Yours always, ' Harry. 

There, now I will join my comrades in the land of 
dreams, and may a merciful Providence ever watch over 
us and guide us aright, and whatever may be our fate on 
the morrow, teach us with all thankfulness of heart to 



OF THE SHENANDOAH. 19 

say, " Thy will, not ours, be done." {Ooes to sleep on 
drum.) 

Song, " Dreaming of Home and Mother." At last 
chorus, Tableau, " Soldiers Dream of Home." Gun 
fired after Tableau. Enter Sergt. Hastings, r. 

Sergt. H. The pickets are driven in ; the enemy ate 
upon us. 

Long Roll. Battle. At the end of battle. Tableau, 
Victory. Closed in.with Front Wood. 

Scene H. Wood Front. Enter Pete, 1st l. e. 

Pete. I'se been looking all ober dis yer place for Massa 
Wallingford. Can't find him no vvhar. Golly, dat fellow 
is more trouble to me den as if he was my own brudder ; 
if I didn't take care of him I wonder who would. {Enter 
Ike, 1st R. E. with bag of forage, pig, chickens, &c.) 
Hullo, Ike, I tought you was in de fight and got killed. 

Ike. No, just my luck, I miss these fights every time. 
Just as soon as I go out to get something for the invalids 
of the army, they up and have a fight. I heard the guns 
firing and hurried with all my might, but the darned old 
mule I rode was slower than Uncle Doolittle's oxen. Did 
they fight much ? Was there anybody hurt ? Any of our 
folks, I mean. 

Fete. Hurt ? there was more than forty million killed. 
Dey's bringing 'em in by wagon loads every minute. 

Ike. Just my luck. I'll never go and look after any 
more chickens for invalids while I'm in the army. 

Pete. I must go up to the regiment and see if Massa 
Harry has come back yet. Come up, Ike, and see how 
many of the boys are left. {Exit 1st l. e.) 

Ike. Just my luck. {Brinks from bottle.) 
{Enter Vattib 1st R. e.) 

Pattie. Goodness, gracious ! Ike Plumley, is that you ? 
In the words of my favorite friend, Wm. Shakespeare, is 
that you I see before me ? 



20 THE DRUMMER BOY 

Ike* Pattie, is that you? {They embrace.) Just my 
luck. Shade of my future destiny, is that you ? Where 
did you come from ? What are you doing here amidst 
the strife and carnage ? 

Pattie. I have come to soothe the wounded and the 
weary. I'm in a hospital. Oh! I've had such awful 
dreams about you, I couldn't rest until I come 'down. I 
thought sure you must be sick or killed. 

Ike. No, I'm not sick or killed. Just my luck. But 
I've had many a narrow escape from both. 

Pattie. Let's go up and see if we can find the Walling- 
fords, and see if the rest of the boys are safe. O dear, 
I'm all of a flutter. 

Ike. Just my luck. {Exit both, 1st L. E.) 

Scene III. Moon. Landscape Back. Sisters of Char- 
ity administering to the wounded on the battlefield. 
Slow Music. 

Scene IV. Wood Front. Union Council. Maj. Gen, 
and staff, and Capt. Howard Enter 1st R. e. 
Maj. Gen. Gen'l, by this map, the nearest route lies by 
the town of Martinsburg. We will have the third corps 
proceed by this road. The pickets tell me there are none 
of the enemy on this road. You may order the march 
immediately. {Exit Brig. Gen. 1st R. E.) Colonel let 
your cavalry reinforce Gen. Dahlgren. The General has 
orders to reconnoitre the enemy's right. {Exit Col., L. 
1st E.) Major, see that the pickets are doubled on the 
pike south of Hagerstown, and if you see any signs of 
the enemy, report to me at once. {Exit Major 1st R. E.) 
Capt. Howard, I want a man of nerve and brain to enter 
the lines of the enemy and ascertain the number of their 
reinforcements, and all particulars that will be of any 
benefit to us. 

Capt. H. There is but one I can call to mind at this 



OF THE SHENANDOAH. 21 

moment, to entrust on such a mission. He is a Serg't. 
in my company, by the name of Wallingford. He is 
brave and a man who would undertake such a duty with 
success, I should think. 

Maj. Gen. Send him to me. {Exit Capf. H. 1st l. e.) 
If I can get the right man to send on this mission, there 
is no doubt but the information he would bring back 
would, in a great measure, save the useless exposure of 
forty thousand men. 

{Enter Harry 1st l. e.) 

Harry. General, my Capt. informs me that you wished 
to speak with me. 

Maj. Gen. Your name, and to what regiment do you 
belong ? 

Harry. Harry Wallingford, Co.. — , — th Regt., — Vol- 
unteers. 

Maj. Gen. I have a dangerous mission that some one 
must go upon, that of a Spy. Your Capt. has recom- 
mended you'. Are you willing to undertake so hazardous 
a duty ? 

Harry. I am at thp disposal of my country. I shall 
do my duty in any position to which I am assigned. I 
will go and do my best. 

Maj. Gen. I know this mission to be fraught with much 
danger, but should you return, you shall have a commis- 
sion. These are your instructions ; you are to leave the 
lines to-night, and it must be given out to your regiment 
that you have deserted, in order to ensure the success of 
the project. The quartermaster will furnish you with any 
thing you may need. You are to enter the rebel lines, 
gain all the infoi'toation you think will be of any benefit 
to our movements. On your return, report to me at 
once. 

Harry. I have but one request to make. If anything 
should occur to prevent my return, will you tell my regi- 



22 THE DRUMMER BOY 

ment the true history of this duty. I entered this service 
for my country's good, and have never disobeyed an or- 
der from any officer yet, and I would not have my name 
go down to posterity branded as a deserter. 

Maj. Gen. It shall, by special order, be read to the en- 
tire division to which your regiment belongs. • 

Harry. Enough, sir, I am satisfied. When shall I de- 
part ? 

Maj. Oen. As soon as night sets in. Here is the coun- 
tersign through the picket lines of our army. 

Harry. 1 will at once prepare. {Exit 1st L. e. Maj. 
Oen. exits 1st R. e.) 

Scene V. Street Front. Enter Teddy, 1st R. e. with 
two rebel prisoners. 

Teddy. Go long wid ye. What do you keep stopping 
for? Do you think to get away from me? Halt! 
Front ! Be gorra, I guess you don't know me, so just let 
me tell ye this much, if you try to get away any more, I'll 
punch you wid this darning needle of Uncle Sam's till 
daylight shines clean through you. Have you got a 
match ? give it to me. {Lights pipe.) I'll confiscate 
this as contraband goods. ' There now, I want to talk to 
you a little bit. Just you look right over there. Do you 
gee that pooty flag over there ? That's the nice piece of 
buntin you've been trying to disgrace, bad luck to ye ; 
but I've got you now, and I'll take you to camp and have 
you tried for spies ; then what'll your widders say ? Oh, 
if Biddy O'Rourke was to see you now, it would be worse 
luck for you. She'd mash your head wid a roling pin 
just as quick as she would a boiled potatoe. But I can't 
stand here any longer talking wid ye, so just turn your- 
selves round that way and start yourselves, and I'll fol- 
low you, and mind now, don't you try to run, if ye do, 
may the divil help you, I wont. {Exit 1st l. e.) 



OF THE SHENANDOAH. 23 

Scene VI. Landscape Bach. Set Bocks, Set Bridge. 
Bebel Camp. DeLorm and soldiers discovered. 
Harry comes on rocks. 

DeLorm. I cannot write to-night for my heart is sad. 
I feel sometimes as if our cause was lost ; that all our 
fighting has been in vain. When I look around me and 
see our thinned ranks and know how many brave men 
have sacrificed their lives, and all for naught, it makes my 
very heart ache. Often do I sit in camp and think of my 
once bright southern home. There with my father, my 
mother, and brothers, it seemed almost a heaven. But 
the fate of war has ruined all. Only yesterday I heard of 
my mother's death. She died far away, in that once 
bright Southern home, with none of that happy family 
there to soothe her dying pillow. My father and two 
brothers have sacrificed their lives fighting for this noble 
cause, and should my country require my life, I will give 
it willingly, for what is life to me now ? 

All fame and power will soon be laid. 
Low in the cold and silent shade, 
But, where immortal spirits reign, 
Thei-e, you and I, mother, shall meet again. 

And then that they should call me a traitor to my coun- 
try. Alas, I may be a traitor to my country and I may 
be a traitor to my God, but to my mother in Heaven, Oh, 
how can I be a traitor to her ? for it was my dear mother 
that first taught my infant lips to say, The South is my 
home, and it was she that said, should you ever be called 
upon to defend her rights, defend them with your life, 
and Heaven will bless you ; and even now, I seem to see 
my mother in heaven, and hear her say, You are right, go 
forth, do your duty, and your reward shall be a crown of 
glory. 

{Enter Harry, r. 3d e. loith basket of Apples.) 



24 THE DRUMMER BOY 

Sarry. Say, Capt. don't you want to buy some apples? 
only cent apiece. 

BeLorm. No, I think not. See here, do you live 
about here ? 

Harry. Yes, I live down here by the creek, and I 
thought I'd come up and see if I couldn't sell your boys 
some apples ; don't care, do you ? 

DeLorm. No, sell them all you can. But have you 
' Been any Yanks in this vicinity lately ? 

Harry. Yes, Capt. I saw some here only two days ago. 
They were scouting around, trying to find out where our 
soldiers were. They tried to pump me. 'Twantno use ; 
that spring was dry. But I found out all about them. 
You see they've got forty thousand men, and they are on 
the way to one of the gaps to cross the mountains, and 
going to Fredericksburg. They don't know you are so 
near them, I reckon. 

DeLorm. Well, let them go ; we shant trouble them at 
present, if that is their route. We have one hundred 
thousand men, and we are going straight across Mary- 
land into Pennsylvania, thence across to Washington. 
That forty thousand of theirs will get taken care of as 
soon as they get to the gap, for Lee is there with three 
times their force, and Moseby is working so as to get in 
the rear of them ; so you see they are well provided for. 

Harry. I am glad of that, Capt., for you see I was 
afraid. But I guess I'll get back soon as I can, and do 
up my chores, for it's getting along towards night. Good 
day, Capt. 

DeLorm. Good day. 

Harry. Now then, to get this information to its proper 
destination. I do not want to go back yet myself, for 
there is more work for me here, but they must have 
warning, or they are lost ! and I know of no other way 



OF THE SHENANDOAH. 25 

than to go myself. DeLorm little knows to whose keep- 
ing he has confided the secret of his movements. 

DeLorm. What are you muttering to yourself about ? 

Harry. I was just reckoning up how much I have made 
to-day, that's all. I've done a pretty good day's work. 
Good day. {Exit 2d R. E.) 

Sergt. Bray. Say, Colonel, that man is not what he 
pretends to be. He don't live around here and sell ap- 
ples for a living. Did you see those rings on his hands? 
and did you notice how he said he had done a good day's 
work ? 

DeLorm to Harry who is up on set rocks. See here, 
my man, come back a moment. 

{Enter Harry 2d r. e.) 

Harry. What is it now, Capt. ? do you want some 
apples ? 

DeLorm. It strikes me I have seen you before. {Pulls 
off Harry's wig. Papers fall out. DeLorm picks them 
up.) Harry Wallingford ! {Music, chord.) Well met, 
sir, this is a pretty guise to be in, that of a Spy. But I 
should expect no more from one that would so basely in- 
sult his friends. But it is my turn now. What have you 
to say for yourself? What were you doing here ? 

Harry. My duty. 

DeLorm. Yes, that of a spy. These documents are of 
much value to the northern army ; but I'll take good care 
that they never get there. They, sir, are your death- 
warrant. 

{Enter Pete, r. u. e. Goes up to Harry.) 

Harry. Do not recognize me for your life. 

DeLorm. Here, Sergt., take these papers to head- 
quarters, and report the capture of the prisoner. {Exit 
Sergt. 2d R. e ) 

Harry. Pete, follow that man, and get those papers, if 
you have to kill him, and take them to our headquarters 



26 THE DRUMMER BOY 

immediately. The lives of forty thousand men will be 
sacrificed if you do not succeed. {Exit Pete, 2d R. E.) 

DeLorm. Ha, ha, my gay Harry Wallingford. I think 
now that your proud wife that spurned me from her house 
would kneel at my feet, and beg for the life of her hus- 
band. You will be tried by a drum-head court martial, 
and be shot at daylight to-morrow. I shall send the news 
to your home, telling them that your life was in my keep- 
ing, that I could have saved you, but duty compelled 
me to the sacrifice. Then I'll picture to them how like a 
coward you died, begging for your life with a pale cheek 
and trembling limbs. l)o you know that I have looked 
forward to this hour, prayed for it, when I should meet 
you face to face, as we meet now. I would give one-half 
the life yet in store for me for this single hour of revenge. 

Harry. James DeLorm, when I placed my name on the 
sacred roll, and swore to protect the flag you would tram- 
ple beneath your feet, I gave my life to the disposal of 
my country, and placed my trust in God. Standing here 
as I do, with the sentence on your lips that shall decide 
my fate, I do not tremble at your threats. I do not ask, 
with faltering lips, for you to spare my life. My country 
required my services here, and I came willingly, well 
knowing the danger of my mission. Should your sen- 
tence be executed, I shall die with the consciousness of 
having done my duty. I do not fear you, but despise and 
pity you. Do your worst. Shoot me, hang me, torture 
me in any way your fiendish nature can devise, and when 
the time comes, you shall see how a loyal soldier can die, 
fighting for a cause that is sacred to him. 

DeLorm. Take him to the guard-house. I shall hold 
you responsible for his safety. {Exit Harry with guard 
1st L. E. Cix>ss bridge from l. to R. Guard remaitis on 
bridge.) 



OF THE SHENANDOAH. 27 

Scene VII. Wood Front. Enter Pete, 1st R. e. run- 
ning. 

Fete. Golly, I'se got deni precious documents. If dat 
fellow's head aint harder than a niggers, I hurt it some. 
I'm afraid poor Massa Harry's gone dis time, sure. He's 
been once too much. He's been in de secesh camp now 
over six months, spying for our side. He nearly got 
cotched three times afore, but got away some how, but 
now dey's got him sure. If I could only go back and 
find out where he is, and get some ob de odder nigs to 
help me. No, dat wont do. I must carry dese papers to 
de headquarters. No, dat wont do, for den it will be too 
late to help Massa Harry. I'll never go and leave him 
to die, without trying to save him. {Noise outside, L.) 
Oh, Lord, wat's dat ? Who comes dere ? 
{Enter Ike, 1st l. e.) 

Ike. Just my luck. Why, Pete, I'm glad to see you. 
I've kinder got oflf my reckoning. Where are we ? 

Fete. In de secesh lines, Massa Plum, sure. 

Ike. What ! you don't say so. Just my luck. 

Fete. Do you know dat de rebs have got Massa Harl'y, 
and going to shoot him for a Spy ? 

Jke. No. Just his luck. What did he want to desert 
for then ? 

Fete. He didn't desert. Dat was only bosh, for you see 
here, he had dese plans and papers on him when dey took 
him. 

Ike. By jingo, if them aint ])lans of the reb's forts and 
armies. Did they find these on him ? 

Pete. Yes, dey did, Massa Plum. 
. Ike. Then his cake is dough, sure. Just his luck. 
Didn't I tell 'em up to camp that Harry hadn't deserted ? 
I have known him too long to believe a word of it. 

Fete. I'm going to try and get him out, if I have to 
kill three or four seceshers to do it. 



28 THE DRUMMER BOY 

Ike. Do you know this country about here ? 

Pete. Yes, Massa Plum, every inch of it. Now let's 
go up on de hill dere, and dere is an ole nig libs dere all 
by hisself. We can stay dere till night, den go down 
Cross the bridge, where I spects dey got Massa Harry in 
de guard house. Dere wont be more den one sentinel 
dere, I don't think, and we can throw him overboard, and 
let Harry out. What do you say ? 

Ike. We mustn't let Harry die without an effort to save 
him, and if we stay here, we shall get gobbled up. Just 
my luck. But I say, Pete, suppose we get a bullet in our 
hides ? 

Pete. Never mind, Massa Plum, 'twont hurt only a 
minute. 

Ike. Say, Pete, do you know where any turkeys roost 
round here ? 

Pete. No, the Reb's are too thick here to have turkeys 
plenty. Come. 

Ike. Just my luck. {Both exit 1st l. e.) 

Scene VIH. Landscape Back. Set Bocks. Set Bridge. 

Enter Pete and Ike from l. on bridge. Cross to R. 

and let Harry out of guard house. 

Pete. Massa Harry, come quick, and we'll get away 
from dis. 

Harry. Steady, Pete, the sentinel is on the watch on 
the other side of the guard house. {Sentinel enters^ 
aims at Harnj.) Back, if you value your Hfe, back. I 
stand here now, free, with arras about me, and I shall 
fight my way clear or die. The first one that comes shall 
be the first to fall. (Harry and sentinel both fire. 
Harry is wounded, sentinel killed. Picture. Slow 
Drop. 



OP THE SHENANDOAH. 



ACT IV. 



Scene I. Stockade. Landscape Back. Prisoners stand- 
ing and lying about stage. James Martin, Hakry 
and Johnny on. 

Johnny. Harry, have you any bread ? I'm so hungry. 
Harry. No, Johnny, I have none. I gave you the last 
I had this morning. 

James Martin. Harry, I am dying, starving. I have 
tried to hold out, hoping they would exchange us. I am 
faint and weary. Harry, if you should live to reach home, 
give this to Nellie, and tell her we shall meet, there. Tell 
my mother not to mourn for me, for I died in a noble 
cause ; died for our glorious old flag. I wish I could see 
it once more, before, before I go, but it cannot be. It is 
too late, now. When you see the regiment, bid the boys 
good bye for me. Good bye, Harry, — God — bless — you, 
Harry. My country, upon thine altar, I lay another of- 
fering for liberty. Oh ! why do they let us stay here and 
starve ? why do they do not exchange us'and place us in 
the field again, with a good sword in our grasp, and let 
us die there, fighting like men. Not one of us here in 
this foul prison but what would die willingly on the field, 
but to be penned up here and starved, well knowing our 
country needs us, it is indeed hard. Our hope of rescue 
is all that holds us from joining our dead comrade here, 
where the strife of war never comes. Poor fellow, you 
are sleeping your last sleep, you have fought your last 
battle. His poor old mother's heart will break when she 
knows that he is dead. 

Behel Sentinel. There is another dead Yank inside. 
{Enter two rebels, 2d R. e. with stretcher. Carry Jas. 
Martin o^2dR. e.) 

Harry. Comrades, I can hold out but little longer, if 
scenes like these are repeated. It makes my blood boil 



80 THE DRUMMER BOY 

to see -with what fiendish cruelty our lost ones are cared 
for. My brain is nearly crazed from the many scenes like 
this, we have witnessed here. 

Johiny. Harry, I am nearly choked for the want of 
Bome water. I have a great mind to go over the dead 
line and get some. 

Harry. No, no, Johnny, not for the world. You know 
it was only yesterday they shot poor Jim for doing so. 

Johnny. Well, we may as well get shot and end it, as 
stay here and starve. 

Harry. Keep up good courage. It is most time for 
our rations. True, 'tis little they give us, and poor at 
that, but if we can keep life in us for a short time, we 
shall get exchanged, I know we shall. 

Johnny. We have small hope and little faith. 

Harry. Let us hope still and have faith in Him. 
{Enter DeLorm 2d R. E, tvith basket of brown bread.) 

DeLorm. Here you rag muffins j how do you like the 
looks of that ? Nice corn meal and water ; that's what 
keeps you all so fat. {All beg for bread.) Back ! wait 
till I get ready to give it to you. 

Harry. Shame upon you to taunt these poor, hungry 
men so; it shows you have the nature of a fiend. Is there 
not one spark of pity left in your soul ? 

DeLorm. Pity ! no, not for you nor this Yankee trash 
you've got with you. Do you think I would have given 
up my commission in the field, and come here to this 
prison, if I had* not read your name in the official list? 
No. You escaped me once, but you cannot now. Inch 
by inch, I'll have your life and that brat you've got with 
you. I'll starve you until your bones protrude through 
your flesh, and then I'll torture you with the rack, until 
nature exhausts herself and you die ; then I'll leave you 
for the buzzards to fight over. You do not look much 
now like the gay Harry Wallingford you used to be. The 



OF THE SHENANDOAH. 31 

fair maidens in Pleasantville would hardly know you now. 

Harry. Your taunting words and cruel threats fall up- 
on my ear without effect. I forgive you and hope heaven 
may. 

{All clamour for bread. Johnny goes to basket and 
steals bread, and runs back. DeLorm shoots him. He 
falls in Harry's arms.) 

DeLorm. Take. that, you Yankee brat. I'll learn you 
to disobey the rules of the prison. Some of the rest of 
you will get served the same way by-and-by. 

Harry. Johnny, speak to me, one word. Have you 
no word to send to mother? Speak, ere it is too late. 
Oh, how cold these little hands are growing that so oft 
have nestled in my own. 

DeLorm. Let the rest of you take warning from him. 
I'll serve you all the same before I'm done with you. 
And as for you, did I not enjoy your torture more than I 
should your death, I'd send you after him now. 

Harry. You are a brave man to talk thus to men help- 
less as you know us to be. If you have any of the cour- 
age you boast of so much, show it ; there's my heart; fire 
if you dare. You have not the nerve to do it. You can 
kill boys, unarmed, but now, as I have before done, I de- 
fy you. You dare not fire. 

DeLorm. Oh, ho, I've got something better in store for 
you, yet. I'm not done with you. I don't want you to die 
till I've put you to the torture. I meant to keep you here 
some time before that, but as you defy me, J'll go and pre- 
pare it for you now, and we'll see if a loyal soldier will not 
flinch from death. {Exit 2d R. E.) 

Harry. Comrades, hear me. A few moments ago, I 
forgave that man his jeerifig taunts, and in my inmost 
soul prayed heaven would forgive him, too ; but here, by 
the side of my dead brother, with my dead and dying com- 
rades around me, I swear never to know the balmy power 



32 THE DRUMMER BOY 

of sleep, never to assuage the pangs of hunger, never to 
have but one thought, or wish, and that shall be for ven - 
geance on the assassin of my brother. Poor boy, can I 
not warm him back to life again? Oh, it was cruel to 
kill you thus when your troubles were almost over, but 
we'll join you soon. {Newspaper thrown on.) 

We shall meet in tliat land, w^here spring is eternal, 
Where sorrow ne'er cometh, no parting or pain. 

Where the flowers ne'er fade, in that clime always vernal. 
We shall meet, and our parting be never again. 

Sergt. Hastings. Harry, come and see the paper the 
boys have got. They've just had one thrown in. 

Harry. Save some of your bread for Johnny. He's 
tired out, poor boy, with his long marches, and is sleep- 
ing now. He'll wake soon, and then he'll be so hungry. 

Sergt. Hastings. Poor fellow, he's gone crazy. 

Harry. Hush ! do not make so much noise, or you'll 
disturb him. He sleeps soundly now, and when he wakes, 
we are going home from this terrible place. I dreamed 
so last night, and when Johnny wakes, Pll tell him of the 
dream. I'll tell you, comrades, now. I thought I heard 
the mowers song in the fields and saw the happy children 
playing beneath the tall, shady trees in old New England, 
and I heard the church bells ring as they used to in the 
good old time when we all there, and I saw my dear moth- 
er there, standing in the doorway, waiting for Johnny 
and I. I thought every one was joyful, for the war was 
over, and they were waiting to receive us. Dear mother, 
we'll meet you soon, we'll meet you soon. Hark ! they 
are coming now, I can hear them in the distance. Do 
you not hear them ? And see, there they are, see, 'tis 
our Old Flag coming again. I told you it would come. 
I knew it would. See, the enemy oppose them. {Guns 
Jived R.) Look, they are scattered, the day is ours. Hear 



OF THE SHENANDOAH. 33 

the Steady tramp, tramp, tramp, (Music) of the Northern 
army. Comrades, our prayers are answered. (Enter 
Capt. H. and soldiers on parapet.) We are saved, we 
are saved. 

(Capt. H. comes down Ladder. Enter DeLorm, r.) 

DeLorm. Fate is against us, but your time has come. 

(DeLorm runs at Harry. Capt. H. gets between 
them. DeLorm. nms him through and goes a^ Harry, 
who checks him with pistol taken from Capt. Ws belt. 
Soldiers all aim at DeLorm.) 

Barry. Hold men, do not fire. He is mine. James 
DeLorm, you have murdered my brother, and here our 
brave Capt. lies, fallen by your hand. I have sworn to 
avenge them. Your time has come. (Shoots DeLorm.) 
See, comrades, my oath of vengeance has been fulfilled. 
Behold the Rebel's Doom ! Picture. Slow Drop. 



ACT V. 

Scene I. Landscape Back. Enter Capt. Harb-yWai.- 
LINGFORD with soldiers l. u. e. Form dress parade. 
Villagers discovered. 

Judge W. Veterans, it is both a pleasant and a painful 
duty to greet ym on your return from the scenes of bat- 
tle, to the quiet and peaceful avocations of a citizen's life. 
In.behalf of the Republic, at whose call you went forth, 
whose government you have maintained, and whose very 
existence you have preserved, I bid you welcome ; for 
your friends and your families, in whose behalf you have 
fought, that you might continue to them, and transmit to 
your posterity, the blessings of a free Republic, Welcome, 
thrice welcome to your homes. But many who witness, 
your return, bear aching hearts ; they see your ranks 



34 THE DRUMMER BOY 

thinned by the casualties of war. They look In vain for 
the manly forms who went forth with you, but will never 
more return to them. In this hour of joy and welcome, 
let us cherish the memory of the fallen, and sympathise 
with those who mourn. You have deserved well of your 
country. You have preserved it from the mad ambition 
of traitors, and long may you live to enjoy its prosperity, 
and longer still than that '* Let us have peace." 
{Tableau, Peace.) 
Harry. In behalf of the brave men under my command, 
who have, by a merciful Providence, been spared to re- 
turn to you, I thank you for this, your kind reception of 
us. When we departed from here a little over four year's 
ago, you presented us with that flag, asking us to defend 
it with our lives. We promised to do so. Wherever it 
has been since that day, it has been our proudest duty to 
follow it, and no traitor's hand has ever polluted it by its 
touch. We bear it back to you faded and torn, but you, 
that have followed our fortunes, know, that whatever du- 
ty was given to the — th regiment, — Volunteers, was 
faithfully performed. Permit me again to thank you for 
your kind reception, and we sincerely hope that we shall 
never more be called upon to defend our country from 
traitorous hands, but that a lasting peace will ever more 
be ours. (Harry marches soldiers off l u. e. Villa" 
gers closed in.) 

ScEJfE II. Kitchen in 3. Enter Pattie, Ike, Teddy, 

and Pete, Ist r. e. 

Pattie. I never saw such goings on in all my life. 
There's old Mr. Holcomb has gone into fits almost, be- 
cause his boy has come home, and he's gone and killed 
his old cow. He calls it his fatted calf, but it's the oldest 
calf I ever saw. Now why can't folks be sensible, like 
you and I, Ike. Now I just as soon have this gingerbread 
as all the cows they've got, hadn't you ? 



OF THE SHENANDOAH. 35 

Ike. Well, I don't know but what I had. But come, 
don't let us be piggish about this, because it's a small 
sheet. Teddy and Pete want some, too. 

Patiie. Of course they do. We'll divide with them, of 
course. {Divides cake.) 

Teddy. Tliank you, marm. Be gorra, it's a gentleman 
you are, sure, and may you be happy all the rest of your 
life. And Ike, may you live long to enjoy that same 
blessing with her. But I must leave you now, for Biddy 
is waiting for me. Good bye to ye all. {Exit 2d R. E.) 

Paftie, Ike, and Pete, together. Good bye, Teddy. 

Pete. Say, Massa Plum, do you know where any tiir* 
keys roost round here ? 1 feel as if I'd like to clutch one 
just for old times' sake. 

Ike. No, Pete, that won't do, now we are at home here. 
But if you will come here to dinner to-morrow, you shall 
have a good one, well cooked, for Pattie knows how to 
cook 'em. 

Pete. All right, by golly, I'll come. 

Pattie. That's right ; and now, Ike, our folks are out 
on the common, having a jubilee. Let's go out and join 
them, and tell them that Ike Plumley and Pattie Peaslee 
that was, have been joined in matrimony. 

Ike. Just my luck. Well, come along. Come, Pete, 
come with us. 

Pete. All right, Massa Plum. I come right along wid 
your {All exit 2d L. E.).;\ 

Scene III. Parlor Back. Judge W. and Mrs. W. dis- 
covered. Enter Harry 2d r. e. 
Jicdge W. Welcome home, my son. You have served 
your'country well and faithfully. 

Harry. I have done my duty and ^am satisfied. 
Mrs. Judge W. Harry, I give you a mother's welcome. 
Painful as our separation has been, I am more than rec- 
ompensed by your safe return. 



36 THE DRUMMER BOY 

Ilarry. Mother, amid the many scenes through which 
I have passed, your image has been constantly before me. 
And now, on my return, it is indeed a great joy to find 
you so well. 

{Enter May l. 2d e.) 

May. My dear husband, I am prouder of you to-day 
than ever. O, how I have prayed for this happy hour. 
These long years have been dark and dreary, but the cloud 
has gone, and as you said at parting, The bright sunshine 
has come again. 

Harry. To us it is a happy hour, but when our thinned 
ranks came marching home, many a poor mother looked 
in vain for her darling boy. She was told that he sleeps 
in an unknown grave, where the Southern flowers bloom 
bright to-day. This is a sad hour to them. But they 
must look for consolation there, where our fallen com- 
rades have already received their laurel crown. Mother, 
our circle is broken. Poor Johnny has gone on before. 
This drum brings his memory fresh before us. 
. Mrs. Judge W. Yes, and my heart is full to overflow- 
ing. I was thinking how he laid his little head upon my 
lap, and I cut from his white brow a silken curl. I re- 
member well how eager he was to go, and how proud he 
was of his drum. O, I shall always think of that day 
when I see his drum and vacant chair. 

{May sings "Vacant Chair") 

Harry. Yes, mother, we shall all miss him. And all 
over our land, mothers will miss their sons, children will 
miss their fathers, and wives their husbands ; but may we 
all so live, that we shall meet them there. 

{Tableau, Johnny in Heaven.) 

Harry. ^ 

.. YfeWe fought our battles o'er again, and yet no blood's been 
shed ; 

It may-be won the smiles trom some, from others tears, in- 
stead. 



OF THE SHENANDOAH. 



Our object and our aim to please, If Ave have tailed in tliis. 
Our Drummer Boy has proved to he a inost decided miss. 
But by your smiles and by your cheers, we know not all in 

vain 
Has been our task; some other night youll wish to come 

again. 
And bring tli^ past up in review; the times wlien souls were 

tried. 
When for the Union blood was shed, and heroes fought and 

died. 
And thus shall freedom's altars burn with an undying fire. 
And in our hearts each sleeping bi"ave shall have a glorious 

pyre." 



Drop Curtain. 



ACT VI. 



Landscape Back. Grand Army of the Republic dec- 
orating Soldiers' Graves. {Music, dirge through 
the act.) 



Please liandle tins hook carefully, and return to niauagor. 



I 



LBAgOS 



fK? ^A -U 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




